NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Monday called for the establishment of a true democratic government in Afghanistan, enjoying backing of the majority of Afghans to provide security without support of others inside its own frontiers.
He was replying the points raised by different members of the NWFP Assembly while discussing law and order situation in connection with the ongoing military operation in tribal areas and its effects on the bordering settled areas of the province.
Durrani said that maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the provincial government. However, the foreign policy is the domain of the federal government.
He said that Afghanistan is our neighbouring country and federal government maintains diplomatic relations with it.
The NWFP chief minister said that the attempt of the former Soviet Union to occupy Afghanistan was a bid to extend it to Pakistan for achievement of access to hot water of the Arabian Sea. At that time, he said religious political parties raised their voice against the Soviet aggression and accorded unprecedented hospitality to their Afghan brethren making a new history of Pukhtoon culture. He said that like former Soviet Union, the religious political parties consider United States as usurper.
Regarding military operation in the tribal area, Durrani said the people of Waziristan are our Pukhtoon brothers, saying he himself belong to a family hosted by the tribesmen of the area for 30 years when we were waging a war for independence of the state.
"We consider Waziris of Waziristan our own blood, who had supported us during struggle for independence", he said, adding that at present, they are not finding any refuge in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and would find the same treatment in Kohat and Peshawar.
The chief minister said that non of the previous federal government had framed any foreign policy for achievement of its own objectives and always served the interest of others making own national security at risk. He said: "We are ready to sacrifice anything for the security of the country", adding the time has arrived that the political leadership would show unity for the protection of the country.
The situation in Waziristan, he said, would ultimately affect law and order in the adjoining settled areas of Bannu and DI Khan, adding that security personnel killed or injured in the operation is also our brother.
He, however, said that independence of the state depends on its people and the countries with strong democracy take independent decisions. He said that in Afghanistan, the people have the backing of majority should be allowed to rule.
The NWFP chief minister said that he had talked to the NWFP governor over the prevailing situation in Miran Shah that the problems would be resolved through political means.
He said that West was expecting disintegration of Soviet Union in one century, but it was the spirit of the faith of the Muslims that it was achieved within a period of two decades. "We are still proud of our spirit and faith and would never compromise on the security and honour of our Holy Prophet (PBUH)," Durrani asserted.
The time, he said, had arrived to make some decisions in the interest of the province and its people. But such decisions required the establishment of a true democratic government.
"There should be and end to the double standard that the super powers of the world would support one dictator and oppose the other. We want establishment of true democracy all around the world", said Durrani.
He announced that children of police personnel who died in DI Khan blasts would be recruited in NWFP police and the families of those who had lost lives would be given Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 for those wounded.
Later, Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan under Rule No 240 of the Assembly proceedings suspended Rule No 124 to allow Bashir Ahmad Bilour of ANP to table his resolution. The resolution called for immediate stoppage of the military operation in Waziristan and resolution of the matter through peaceful political means.
Those who spoke on the matter were Abdul Akbar Khan (PPP-Parliamentarian), Anwar Kamal Khan (PML-N), Dr Mohammad Saleem (independent), Saeed Khan (PML-Q), Nadir Shah (MMA) and Syed Murid Kazim (PPP-Sherpao).
The Speaker put the resolution to vote and house approved it with majority. Later, he adjourned the proceedings of the house till Tuesday.
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